International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam

African Spelling Book

Synopsis

<> is a film made by a group of street children living in Nairobi. It is inspired by stories written by the children themselves and they have been trained in the use of video cameras. Each story reflects their view of the life in Kenya and is a unique chance to explore their world and their point of view. The viewer's preconceived ideas of Africa are challenged by the children's take on life. Africa is portrayed as tragic, comic, beautiful, vital, but above all, dignified. Films within <> include: <> which one girl finds in a local café, <>, which explores a turbulent relationship between a family and their patriarch; and <> which portrays a girl and her elderly grandmother debating female circumcision.

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